Synthesis and polymerase incorporation of 5'-amino-2',5'-dideoxy-5'-N-triphosphate nucleotides.

This unit presents synthetic procedures for the preparation of 5'-amino-2',5'-dideoxy analogs of adenosine, cytidine, guanosine, and thymidine, as well as corresponding 5'-N-triphosphate nucleotides, using commercially available reagents. The modified nucleosides are prepared in high yields from naturally occurring 2'-deoxynucleosides using robust chemical reactions including tosylation, azide exchange, and the Staudinger reaction. Efficient conversion of these 5'-amino nucleosides to corresponding 5'-N-triphosphate nucleotides is achieved through a one-step reaction with trimetaphosphate in Tris-buffered aqueous solution.

Regioselective syntheses of 7-nitro-7-deazapurine nucleosides and nucleotides for efficient PCR incorporation.

Substitution at the C(7) position of purine nucleotides by a potent electron-withdrawing nitro group facilitates the cleavage of glycosidic bonds under alkaline conditions. This property is useful for sequence-specific cleavage of DNA containing these analogues. Here we describe the preparation of 7-deaza-7-NO(2)-dA and 7-deaza-7-NO(2)-dG using two different approaches, starting from 2'-deoxy-adenosine and 6-chloro-7-deaza-guanine, respectively.

DNA amplification method tolerant to sample degradation.

Despite recent advances in linear whole genome amplification of intact DNA/RNA, amplification of degraded nucleic acids in an unbiased fashion remains a serious challenge for genetic diagnosis. We describe a new whole genome amplification procedure, RCA-RCA (Restriction and Circularization-Aided Rolling Circle Amplification), which retains the allelic differences among degraded amplified genomes while achieving almost complete genome coverage. RCA-RCA utilizes restriction digestion and whole genome circularization to generate genomic sequences amenable to rolling circle amplification.

Balanced-PCR amplification allows unbiased identification of genomic copy changes in minute cell and tissue samples.

Analysis of genomic DNA derived from cells and fresh or fixed tissues often requires whole genome amplification prior to microarray screening. Technical hurdles to this process are the introduction of amplification bias and/or the inhibitory effects of formalin fixation on DNA amplification. Here we demonstrate a balanced-PCR procedure that allows unbiased amplification of genomic DNA from fresh or modestly degraded paraffin-embedded DNA samples.

Whole genome amplification of DNA from laser capture-microdissected tissue for high-throughput single nucleotide polymorphism and short tandem repeat genotyping.

Genome-wide screening of genetic alterations between normal and cancer cells, as well as among subgroups of tumors, is important for establishing molecular mechanism and classification of cancer. Gene silencing through loss of heterozygosity is widely observed in cancer cells and detectable by analyzing allelic loss of single nucleotide polymorphism and/or short tandem repeat markers. To use minute quantities of DNA that are available through laser capture microdissection (LCM) of cancer cells, a whole genome amplification method that maintains locus and allele balance is essential.

Sequence-specific dinucleotide cleavage promoted by synergistic interactions between neighboring modified nucleotides in DNA.

Sequence-specific cleavage of DNA by restriction endonucleases has been an indispensable tool in modern molecular biology. However, many potential applications are yet to be realized because of the limited number of naturally available restriction specificities. Efforts to expand this repertoire through protein engineering have met considerable challenges and only brought forth modest success.

Synthesis and polymerase incorporation of 5'-amino-2',5'-dideoxy-5'-N-triphosphate nucleotides.

Owing to the markedly increased reactivity of amino functional groups versus hydroxyls, the 5'-amino-5'-deoxy nucleoside and nucleotide analogs have proven widely useful in biological, pharmaceutical and genomic applications. However, synthetic procedures leading to these analogs have not been fully explored, which may possibly have limited the scope of their utility. Here we describe the synthesis of the 5'-amino-2',5'-dideoxy analogs of adenosine, cytidine, guanosine, inosine and uridine from their respective naturally occurring nucleosides via the reduction of 5'-azido-2',5'-dideoxy intermediates using the Staudinger reaction, and the high yield conversion of these modified nucleosides and 5'-amino-5'-deoxythymidine to the corresponding 5'-N-triphosphates through reaction with trisodium trimetaphosphate in the presence of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris).

A genotyping strategy based on incorporation and cleavage of chemically modified nucleotides.

Aiming to facilitate the analysis of human genetic variations in the context of disease susceptibility and varied drug response, we have developed a genotyping method that entails incorporation of a chemically labile nucleotide by PCR followed by specific chemical cleavage of the resulting amplicon at the modified bases. The identity of the cleaved fragments determines the genotype of the DNA. This method, termed Incorporation and Complete Chemical Cleavage, utilizes modified nucleotides 7-deaza-7-nitro-dATP, 7-deaza-7-nitro-dGTP, 5-hydroxy-dCTP, and 5-hydroxy-dUTP, which have increased chemical reactivity but are able to form standard Watson-Crick base pairs.